Predictors of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Adults in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the recommended treatment for benign gall bladder diseases. Difficult LC (DLC) is a recognised cause of prolonged surgery, the need for conversion to open procedure, and postoperative complications. The identification of the predictors of DLC preoperatively may contribute to improved preoperative planning and surgical outcome. Aims and Objectives: To determine the rate of DLC and predictors of DLC in adult patients at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife. Materials and Methods: < 0.05. Results: = 0.07). Conclusion: The low rate of postoperative complications and conversion to open procedure despite the significant DLC rate indicates that with improved expertise/skills of the surgeon, safe LC is feasible and could become the main approach for cholecystectomy in Nigeria.